US Open: Nadal tops Djokovic for 13th major title

Rafael Nadal, of Spain, returns a shot to Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, during the men's singles final of the 2013 U.S. Open tennis tournament, Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in New York. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

NEW YORK (AP) —

No. 2-ranked Rafael Nadal won his 13th Grand Slam title by edging No. 1 Novak Djokovic 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 in a riveting U.S. Open final filled with lengthy points and fantastic shotmaking.

Nadal's victory Monday gave him a second championship at Flushing Meadows, and came a year after he missed the tournament with a knee injury.

This was their 37th head-to-head match, the most between two men in the Open era, and their third U.S. Open final in four years. Nadal beat Djokovic for the 2010 title, and Djokovic won their rematch in 2011.

Nadal improved to 60-3 with nine titles this season. His total of 13 major trophies ranks third in the history of men's tennis, behind only Roger Federer's 17 and Pete Sampras' 14.

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